As the reliance on online shopping has increased, so has the danger of thieves stealing packages off front porches throughout Lebanon County and nationwide.

And the number of packages being ordered increases considerably during the holiday season, as has porch piracy.

According to a 2015 report by InsuranceQuote.com, 23 million Americans have had packages stolen from their homes before they could open them.

"(Package theft) is not a critical problem at this point, but a growing problem," said Northern Lebanon Police Chief Harold Easter. "As more and more people are having stuff delivered to their homes, that opens up the opportunity for theft."

Taking safety precautions is becoming crucial.

"People should safeguard their packages," Easter said. "(Have packages dropped off) with a neighbor, a trusted friend, or make sure there is a secure place at home," where packages can be placed.

"I see more and more packages on front porches," Easter said. "It's an open invitation for anyone to steal what they have ordered. Patrols are instructed to keep an eye."

While packages being delivered have increased, so has the need for thieves to make a quick buck," Easter said.

"It coincides with the drug problem," he said. "People sell (the packages), hawk it, take money and buy drugs. Just like retail theft, a lot is drug-related."

Taking precautions

Tracking systems used by shipping companies are getting smarter. In addition to tracking packages, FedEx and UPS offer apps that let users manage and customize their deliveries, said Mark Fang, director of the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection. For additional fees, customers can reroute a package to a new address or reschedule the delivery at the last minute.

“They are getting even more sophisticated,” Fang said of package-tracking systems. “Consumers should take advantage of those tracking options.”

The rise of porch pirates has created a market for new tools and services for consumers to securely receive packages, Fang said.

For example, a Frisbee-sized, Wi-Fi enabled device called “Package Guard“ sends an alert to your telephone when a delivery arrives at your doorstep.

For people who don’t want to take any chances, Fang has a suggestion: “You can receive delivery at your local FedEx or UPS office when you have something very valuable delivered” so that you can pick up at a later date, he said.

Here are some other tips supplied by reviewed.com to ensure the safety of your packages.

Not everyone has a local friend or relative who’s at home all day to receive your parcels, so see if it’s OK to have packages sent to your workplace. Don’t take advantage, though.

2. Set up a smart security camera

A smart security camera lets you keep an eye on your home. You can receive an alert when anyone approaches your front door. Some cameras even let you communicate with the sketchy person who's eyeing your package. You may have to pay a subscription fee, but you'll increase security around your house.

Security boxes are one way to ensure the safety or your delivered packages.(Photo: (Photo: Landport))

3. Have your mail and packages held

Connect with the post office and delivery services before you go on vacation, and get your stuff when you come back. And don't place any orders that will arrive while you're away.

4. Look into The Package Guard

The Package Guard is a device the size and shape of a Frisbee that connects to your home Wi-Fi. It sits on your porch, texts you when a package is delivered, and sets off a very loud alarm if someone who doesn’t have the app tries to move the box.

5. Purchase a parcel delivery box

Some of these boxes are old school, with hasps and locks. The modern ones let you use your phone to create and share an access code. Once bolted to your porch or front steps, these boxes become a secure point of delivery.